Storage tank



June 26, 1951 K. M. sPElG 2,558,694

STORAGE TANK Fle'd Aug. 26, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' KARL M. SPE/Gf INVENTOR. H UEENER, BEEHLER, WORRE L HERZ/G 8 CALDWELL, ATTORNEYS.

.lune 26, 1951 K. M. sPElG 2,553,694

STORAGE;v TANK Filed Aug. 26, 1949 2 sheets-Sheet 2 /JOO KARL M. `SWE/G,

/NVENTOR.

- HUE BNEI?, BEEHLER, WORRE L HERZ/6 8 CALDWELL,

A TTOPNEYS.

By WW Patented June 26, 1951 r p UNITED-STATES aan STORAGE TANK Karl M. Spcig, Pacoima, Calif.

Application August 26,1949, Serial No. 112,467

This invention relates to a storage tank andV more particularly to tanks designedfor the storage of inflammable materials and incorporating cooling and fire control structure.

It is intended by this instant invention to provide a fireproofed storage tank for'inilammable material which may be used in open fields or indoors and by virtue of which the inflammable materials stored therein may be maintained in a cool condition safe from any fire which may be raging therearound.

It is among the objects of the invention to provide new and improved means for cooling and reproofing, both internally and externally, an inflammable-carrying storage tank.

It is also among the objects of the invention to provide an improved double wall storage tank construction in combination with a coolingfluid intended to be retained therein and in case of need to be circulated, overowed, and distributed thereabout. v i

Another object ofthe invention is to provide new and improved automatic fire extinguishing construction for tank Walls and other `structures such as houses, buildings and the like.

This invention contemplates, in addition, the prevention of explosion within storage tanks of single or doubled walled construction, preferably the latter, with new and improved provision for relief of internal stresses due to heat expansion.

It likewise contemplates improvements over prior art structures heretofore intended to accomplish generally similar purposes.

In addition to the above recited objects it is intended by the instant invention to provide im- I side storage tank embodying this invention; andv Figure 4 is a top view thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and specifically Figures 1 and 2 thereof, an outdoor storage tank 20 located as in a field 2|, generally comprises an inner tank 22 and an outer tank 23, both of which may be mounted as upon a cement slab 24 and preferably braced and secured together as by braces 25.

The outer tank 23 may be tted as with a conical roof 26 formed as with an access hole 21, normally covered, and spaced depending flanges 28 welded or otherwise secured thereto as at 29 along i claims; w1; 1699i) c ircumferentially spaced points along the upper rim 30 of such tank 23.

the roof is secured, either permanently or removably, to the outer tank.

A drain valve 34 may communicate, as through an outlet 35, with the interior of the outer tank 23, i. e., with the space 36, preferably of annular form, the tanks being customarily cylindrical,

.; between the inner tank 22 and the outer tank 23.

On the outside of the tank a ladder 38 may be provided.

The inner tank 22, unlike the .outer tank 23 which is entirely devoid of a top other than the roof 26,-is closed atits top 40 except for the optional provision of an access opening 4I closed in any suitable watertight fashion by an access door 42 thereover.

A vent pipe 43 may be threadedly secured as at 44 to the top of the tank 22 terminating in a stand pipe portion 44 :spaced somewhat away from the storage tank 20 and provided as with a vent cap 45.

Both the inner tank 22 and the outer tank 23 are firmly secured, as by angles 46 embedded in the concrete slab, to said concrete slab in a watertight manner known to those skilled in the art, or

either or both such inner and outer tanks may be provided with separate or common bottoms, making of either or both of them integral closed containers.

The concrete slab 24 may likewise bei formed with a sump 48 as of annular shape including drain pipes 49 communicating therewith. A filling pipe 56 communicates with the interior 5| of the inner tank 22 for filling such inner tank with a combustible fluid, as gas, gasoline, oil, natural gas or rthe like. A Water supply pipe 52 communicates as at 53 with the annular space 36 between the tanks.

The supply pipe 52 may be controlled by a manually operable valve 54 preferably at a position remote from the storage tank 20, but the valve 54 is preferably stationed relatively proximate to the storage tanks and of an automatic character. Thus it may be operated either from a float similar to a toilejI control valve at the top of the outertank 23 or by a re or heat operated valve adapted to be open when subjected to the extreme heat of a lire. In either event, the supply pipe 52 is intended to maintain a constant Water supply in the annular space 36 substantially to the full extent of the capacity of the outer tank.

Inasmuch as such outer tank extends above the oFFl-C' opened either manual or automatically as aforesaid, thereby overflowing the rim 30 of the outer tank and flowing in spaced rivulets or as a continuous falls around and over the outside of the tank 23. A Water will also spread over the eld 2| around the tank, serving to keeping burning substances away or cooling and extinguishing them while simultaneously protecting and maintaining a low temperature in the contents of the inner tank 22. It should be noted that the fiuid, preferably water, contained in the annular space 36 between the tanks would normally maintain a cool condition within the inner tank 22 merely by evaporation but such cooling effect is insured and assisted by the continual circulation of fresh cold water from the supply pipe 52. The positioning of the lling pipe 50 is such that if the normal iiow therein be reversed, it, together with the drain or sump pipe 49, may remove the combustible material within the inner tank to a place remote from the re if desired.

In the form of the storage tank illustrated in Figures '3 and 4 a tank generally designated at comprises an outer tank |0! having an open top |02 and a closed bottom |03 all supported above a floor |04 as of a garage by means of steel legs |06 held on or in the floor in any conventional manner.

An inner tank |08 is supported as upon legs |09 on the bottom |03 of the outer tank toA provide a space between the inner and outer for the circulation of Water i0 around and over the inner tank |44 when delivered as through a supply pipe An outlet pipe |I2 communicates internally as at ||3 with the interior`||4 of the inner tank, the outlet ow from the inner tank being governed preferably by a conventional spring-acting delivery nozzle H connected as to a eXible hose IIE.

The inner tank |08 is adaptedto be filled as by supply garage pipe ||8 projecting outwardly through a wall l2@ of an enclosure or building and encased as within an asbestos or other reresistant coating |2|.

A drain valve may be provided for the outer tank |0| in the bottom |03 thereof, and the autematic Valve |26 may controlthewater supply` inthe pipe normally maintaining the outer tank |0| full of water to the brim |02 thereof.v

In the modied form of the invention, gasoline or the like is poured into the inner tank |08 through the plugged opening |30 outside of the wall |20 and is removed from such inner tank by pipe ||2, hose H6, and nozzle ||5.

Water enters the outer tank lling the space between the outer tank and the inner tank through pipe and the valve |26, maintaining the water supply in the outer tank around and over the inner tank.

In the event of a nre, a iioat |32 which is made of a material subject to destruction by re or extreme heat such as a thin vinyl plastic is destroyed, ruptured or shriveled by the heat permitting the automatic valve |26 to open-and supplying a continuous stream of fresh water around the inner tank I 08. The incoming water continuously overilows therim |02 of the larger 4 tank keeping the outside thereof cool and spreading over the floor|04.

- .The float |32, in the event of such destruction thereof, permits the lever |35 to be continuously overbalanced in a clockwise direction as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the long end |36 thereof inwardly of the fulcrum |31 being heavier than thevshorter end |38. The valve |26 thereby remains continuously open for ooding purposes, inasmuch as'the'cable |39 pulls up on the handle |40 of, the valve |26 to open the latter. Thus, when the iioat |32 is operative, the water level is kept at a given height above the inner tank |08, and when the float is destroyed, the outer tank |0| overflows.v Y

The lever |46 of the valve |26 normally falls to horizontal, as shown in Fig. 3, in the closed position of the valve, and is opened by counterclockwise movement under the influence of the cable |39 and lever |35.

The rim |02 may be notched in a similar manner to the rim of the iirst embodiment of Fig-l ures l and 2.

Tests of the instant invention have found that notwithstanding an oil re or the like continuously played over and around the storage tank 2'0- or |66 a relatively slight circulation of water,

as from the two pipes 52 or maintains atemperature'within the inner tank suiciently low to prevent combustion of the most volatile forms of gasoline contained therein. A sufficient circulation of water will retain the inner tank at a temperature close to that of the incoming water withstanding the fire temperature.

Even if the water between the inner and outer tanks is brought to a boil by a cessation of the freshwater supply thereto, the inner tank, so long as it remains covered, will retain a temperature which does not exceed that of boiling water.

This invention features the provision of a new and improved storage tank construction for maintaining a cool temperature in an inner tank regardless of the external temperature of the outer tank. It likewise features a new and improved means by which the inner tank is constantly immersed in water or other cooling fluids, by which a fresh supply of cool Water is automatically supplied for covering the inner tank in the event of a nre, and by an outer tank construction permitting boiling and overflow and escape of the water contained therein. A cooling, nre-extinguishing and anti-explosive effect isthereby created.

While I have herein shown and described my invention-in what I have conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recogthat departures may be made therefrom within the scope of my invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, for obvious modications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as Vnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

` 1. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained Within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely lled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately lling such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, and whereby the outer tank may be constantly flooded by water to overflow its rim.

2. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, a roof over the outer tank spaced upwardly therefrom and defining an opening superadjacent the open top'of the outer tank, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely filled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately lill-v ing such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, and whereby the outer tank may be constantly flooded by water to overflow its rim.

3. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely filled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including automatic valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately filling such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, and whereby the outer tank may be constantly flooded by water to overowits rim.

4. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely filled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including automatic flre-destructible means on said automatic valve means designed for destruction by the relatively high temperature of a re to open said automatic valve control means, valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately illing such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, and whereby the outer tank may be constantly flooded by water to overflow its rim.

5. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely lled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately filling such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, whereby the outer tank may be constantly ooded by water to overflow its rim, and notch means on the rim of the outer tank whereby the overflowing water is directed in spaced rivulets down the outside of the outer tank for even distribution therearound.

6. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, an inner tank f spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outer tank whereby when the outer tank is completely filled with water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, water inlet means connected to a source of cool Water communicating between the inner and outer tank including automatic fire-destructible means on said automatic valve means designed for destruction by the relatively high temperature of a re to open said automatic valve control means, valve means for maintaining the water supply within the outer tank to a position approximately filling such outer tank and covering such inner tank with water, whereby the outer tank may be constantly ilooded by water to overflow its rim, said automatic valve means comprising a float valve normally holding said valve closed when the water is at a predetermined level, said iloat valve comprising a fire-destructible material, destruction of which permits said valve to open.

'7. A storage tank construction comprising a watertight outer container having an open top and a closed bottom and sides, a roof over the outer tank spaced upwardly therefrom and dening an opening superadjacent the open top of the outer tank, an inner tank spaced inwardly and downwardly from the walls and open top of the outer tank, respectively, so that the inner tank is wholly contained within the outel` tank whereby when the outer tankis completely iilled with Water the inner tank is entirely immersed in such water, inlet means for combustible material to be stored within the inner tank, vent means for the inner tank, drainage means for the inner tank, water inlet means connected to a source of cool water communicating between the inner and outer tank including automatic nre-destructible means lon said automatic valve means designed for destruction by the relatively high temperature of a fire to open said automatic valve control means, whereby the outer tank may be constantly flooded by water to overflow its rim, and notch means on the rim of the outer tank whereby the loverilowing water is directed in spaced rivulets down the outside of the outer tank for even distribution therearound, said automatic valve means comprising a iloat valve normally holding said valve closed when the water is at a predetermined level, said iioat valve comprising a fre-destructible material, destruction of which permits said valve to open, said inner tank being supported above the bottom of the outer tank but below the rim thereof.

KARL M. SPEIG.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Webb Nov. 7, 1911 Number 

